Durabolin is very similar to the popular Deca Durabolin. Durabolin must be injected frequently and in regular intervals, every 2-3 days. The substance nandrolone-phenylpropionate quickly gets into the blood, where it remains active for two to three days. The dosage is around 50-150 mg per injection, or a total of 150-600 mg/week. Durabolin has a distinct anabolic effect which assists the protein synthesis and allows the protein to be stored in the muscle cell in large amounts. This is combined with a moderate androgenic component which stimulates the athlete's regeneration and helps maintain the muscle mass during a diet. It shows that Durabolin stores much less water in the body than Deca Durabolin. For this reason, Durabolin is more suitable for a preparation for a competition while Deca Durabolin should be given preference for the buildup of strength and muscle mass. Durabolin, however, can be used for this purpose as well. The gains are fewer and slower than with Deca Durabolin but of a higher quality and remain, for the most part, after discontinuing the compound. This is mostly due to the fact that lower dosages are used in most cases, resulting in less HPTA suppression.

The side effects of Durabolin are few. Water retention, high blood pressure, an elevated estrogen level, and virilization symptoms occur less often with Durabolin than with Deca Durabolin. Female athletes therefore take Durabolin in weekly intervals since, due to its short duration of effect, no undesirable concentration of androgen takes place. Three to four day intervals between the relative injections are to be observed. Durabolin is one of the safest non-toxic steroids offering satisfactory results. Durabolin has no negative effect on the liver function so it can even be taken in cases of liver disease. Side effects occur only in rare cases and in persons who are extremely sensitive. Virilization symptoms in women such as huskiness, deep voice, hirsutism, acne, and increased libido are possible but occur only rarely if reasonable dosages are taken at reasonable intervals. Men usually experience no symptoms with Durabolin. Since the release of gonadotropins in the hypophysis is inhibited, a proper post cycle therapy of HCG and Nolvadex/Clomid is recommended.